Tooth pain is an affliction that can be quite debilitating and it a majority of the population. From a general perspective, pain is merely the body’s way of telling us that something is wrong, and the grade and type of pain can be indicative of the severity of the condition. The following types of tooth discomfort or pain and the related treatments may serve as a guide.

Sensitivity to cold or hot liquids and foods
If the discomfort is momentary, it usually signifies that the problem is a small one.

In the case of an exposed nerve root, keeping it clean and preventing dental plaque accumulation can help. Use of a soft toothbrush is preferred. There is a common misconception about frequent brushing helping in maintaining oral hygiene. Restrict brushing of teeth to twice a day. Fluoride-based toothpaste is usually helpful in combating sensitivity. Visit a dentist if the sensitivity doesn’t subside or if it worsens.

Sensitivity following dental treatment
Inflamed pulp tissue within the tooth, following dental work, can cause sensitivity. This condition usually doesn’t last longer than a few days, but it can take a little longer to subside depending on the magnitude of the dental treatment carried out. Over-the-counter pain medication like paracetamol or aspirin is usually helpful. Visit a dentist if the pain worsens.

A sharp pain on biting
A crack in the tooth, tooth decay, or a loosened filling are some of the possible causes. A loosened filling, as well as tooth decay, will have to be treated by a dentist. If there is pulp tissue damage, root canal treatment may be necessary. Treating a cracked tooth may pose more of a problem because there may be pulped tissue involvement, and/or the crack may be at a location that is difficult to access.

Pain that lingers
Lingering pain may be indicative of decay of the pulp and is often irreversible. You will need to visit a dentist before the infection spreads and leads to a worse condition. Root canal treatment is the therapy of choice.

A dull pain in the upper teeth and pain in the sinuses
Pain in the sinus areas of the face is usually related to pain in the upper, back teeth because of their shared nerves. The origin of this pain is often difficult to localize. As a result, pain in the sinuses from a cold or other similar infection can result in tooth pain, and vice versa. Grinding of the teeth can also cause similar symptoms, and hence, it must be ruled out. Visit a dentist or a general physician to determine the cause of the discomfort, so that an appropriate treatment can be started as soon as possible.

Constant pain that is difficult to localize
This is caused due to a severe decay of the dental pulp spreading towards the nerve root. Visit a dentist to isolate the problem. Root canal treatment may be required to salvage the infected tooth. Treatment should be sought immediately or the condition might worsen.

Constant unbearable pain, swollen and sensitive gums
This is caused when an infection spreads and forms an abscess, and the adjacent bone is also affected. Root canal treatment will be required. Until treated, over-the-counter pain medication might provide a degree of relief.

Home remedies for dental ailments
If you are looking for instant relief, you can use certain home remedies to act against toothaches. Although these might not be permanent solutions, they help to reduce the degree of pain until you go to your dentist.

• Clove oil: It contains a substance called eugenol that serves as a natural anesthetic. Applying clove oil helps numb the pain, although the effect is very short lived.
• Peppermint: It has numbing properties similar to clove oil.
• Saltwater: Gargling with salt water is helpful in treating infections and clearing out debris.
• Garlic: It has antibiotic properties and can curb the growth of infection-causing organisms.
• Alcohol or vanilla extract: They act as numbing agents.